Cyathea excavata

Cyathea excavata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Cyatheales
Family:	Cyatheaceae
Genus:	Cyathea
Subgenus:	Cyathea
Section:	Alsophila
Species:	C. excavata
Binomial name
Cyathea excavata Holttum, 1935
Synonyms
Alsophila excavata (Holttum) Tryon, 1970

Cyathea excavata is a species of tree fern endemic to the Cameron Highlands in Peninsular Malaysia, where it grows in habitats ranging from forest, streamsides, clearings and open grassy areas at an altitude of approximately 1800 m. The trunk is erect and up to 2 m tall or more. It forms lateral shoots. Fronds are bi- or tripinnate and about 2 m long. They are persistent and may be retained forming a characteristic skirt around the trunk. The stipe is smooth, green and covered with dull, thin basal scales. Sori occur near the fertile pinnule midvein and are covered by pale, thin indusia that are saucer-like in appearance.

References

• Braggins, John E. & Large, Mark F. 2004. Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc., p. 130. ISBN 0-88192-630-2
• The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea excavata